SHAWNA TAYLOR
Ocean Trout Farms
“If you find a job you love,
you’ll never work a day in your life.”
This old adage really rings true for Shawna Taylor, who has loved every minute of her 23 years in the Island’s aquaculture industry.
As a North Rustico native and from a fishing family, Shawna always knew she would gravitate towards a fish-related career. She wanted a job that allowed her to work with her hands, be outdoors, and keep her busy and engaged. After receiving her Aquaculture Technician degree from Holland College, she immediately started working in the finfish industry.
In her early days in the field, there weren’t very many women working in aquaculture, but Shawna spent time in the trenches to gain the knowledge, experience and confidence needed to get her where she is today: Manager of Ocean Trout Farms in Brookvale, the only trout hatchery on Prince Edward Island.
In her early days in the field, there weren’t very many women working in aquaculture, but Shawna spent time in the trenches to gain the knowledge, experience and confidence needed to get her where she is today: Manager of Ocean Trout Farms in Brookvale, the only trout hatchery on Prince Edward Island.
Shawna raises trout up from the time they are just eggs to when they become smolts at about 15-18 months. At that time, they are ready to leave the hatchery and be relocated to sea cages. Shawna finds it very meaningful and rewarding to work in an ever-evolving industry and to continue to improve the quality of the product while reducing its impact on the environment. “It’s a nice feeling seeing the fish I raised shipped out the door,” says Shawna, “and I like knowing I’m helping to provide a protein source in a sustainable manner.”
Shawna raises trout up from the time they are just eggs to when they become smolts at about 15-18 months. At that time, they are ready to leave the hatchery and be relocated to sea cages. Shawna finds it very meaningful and rewarding to work in an ever-evolving industry and to continue to improve the quality of the product while reducing its impact on the environment. “It’s a nice feeling seeing the fish I raised shipped out the door,” says Shawna, “and I like knowing I’m helping to provide a protein source in a sustainable manner.”